Aspen, Colorado – Mountain travel across western Colorado could slow quickly Friday afternoon as snow spreads across multiple high-elevation ranges, coating roads and reducing visibility before the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across much of the western Colorado high country through midnight Friday, with some northern zones ending earlier around 6 p.m. Snow totals vary by elevation, but many mountain areas could see 4 to 9 inches of additional snowfall, especially in the Northwest San Juan Mountains near Telluride, Ouray, and Red Mountain Pass.
The Gore and Elk Mountains near Aspen, Snowmass, Vail, and Minturn may see up to 6 inches of snow above 8,500 feet, creating slick stretches on Interstate 70 over Vail Pass and nearby mountain roads. Farther south, Monarch Pass, McClure Pass, Coal Bank Pass, and Molas Pass could experience bursts of heavier snow combined with wind gusts reaching 35 to 45 mph, producing blowing snow and sudden visibility drops.
Higher terrain along the Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide near Ridgway, along with the Flat Tops and Elkhead Mountains, may see several inches of accumulation with strong winds drifting snow across exposed roadways.
Drivers heading into the mountains should slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and check Colorado road conditions by dialing 511 before traveling.
Snow should gradually taper late Friday night, but icy patches and drifting snow may continue into early Saturday morning, especially across passes above 8,000 feet. Additional advisories may follow if snowfall redevelops across the western ranges.
